Books and archives at risk of extinction. In Italy, out of 30 million volumes kept in state libraries, at least 4,5 million are no longer freely accessible without damage. In the absence of conservative restoration interventions, in unfortunately not too long times, over 20 million units will be in the same conditions. And the situation is almost the same for the State Archives.
This was denounced by Professor Antonio Zappalà of the Department of History and Protection of Cultural Heritage of the University of Udine who, in a note, launched his reflections: "If you are sensitive to the conservation of this immense archival and book heritage, which contains often the primary sources of historical documentation, one cannot but ask oneself what are the causes of such a risk of loss of cultural heritage”. The teacher also made some suggestions. A security duplication must be made of every book or document preserved, but particularly of those that have a high documentary, historical or, in some cases, even artistic value, a duplication that will also serve for a greater diffusion of the texts, particularly those of greater value.
The duplication would also have the aim of decreasing the use, and therefore the manipulation, of the originals. “There are few readers who have a real need to access the reading of the authentic 'piece' – he declared – In most cases it is sufficient to be able to read the microfilm of the original kept in the same library. Only in rare cases are they also interested in all the information that can only be gleaned from direct consultation of the original. In 2014, the General Directorate of Archives issued guidelines for risk prevention and emergency response in archives. In 2015, a directive from the Mibact established the procedures for making archives safe in the event of natural disasters. But what appears is a race against time due to the deterioration and poor conservation and surveillance of many archives and libraries.
An association Sos Archives has also been born which motivates the members of recovery activities and economic participation for the protection. Then there are the thefts. How can we forget what happened in the Gerolamini Library in Naples. On April 28, the Public Prosecutor's Office closed the investigation into the investigation-excerpt into the looting of the library which houses the most precious book heritages in Europe. A looting which, according to the Court of Auditors of Rome, amounts to almost 20 million euros. In fact, 4 extremely rare volumes were taken away between June 2011 and April 2012. And that has already led to a seven-year prison sentence for former director Marino Massimo De Caro, accused in another proceeding still in progress, also for the crime of conspiracy together with thirteen other people, including the former conservative don Sandro Marsano.
Not only thefts and thefts but also receiving stolen goods from old and rare books. Minister Dario Franceschini has announced that he will increase the state contribution by 8 million euros in favor of the archives, libraries and main institutes of the Mibact. “After years of cuts to culture, it is now necessary to reverse course and return to invest – he said – also by increasing resources in favor of the many institutes that silently and with high professionalism work for the conservation, cataloging and restoration of our cultural heritage. A work that is not very visible but very important, which must be valued because it keeps alive the memory and vitality of a unique heritage in the world". The envisaged amounts, however, will be allocated only to nine entities, including only the libraries of Rome and Florence.
